Gujarat Titans Falter as Punjab Kings Clinch Last-Over Thriller
| 17th Match (N), Ahmedabad, April 04, 2024, Indian Premier League | |||
| Score | Result | Player of the match | |
| Gujarat Titans | 199/4 | PBKS won by 3 wickets (with 1 ball remaining) | Shashank Singh, PBKS 61* (29) |
| Punjab Kings | 200/7 | ||
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed a dramatic finish on April 4th as the Punjab Kings edged out the Gujarat Titans by a mere 3 wickets in the 17th match of IPL 2024.
Titans Struggle Early Despite Gill’s Knock
Gujarat, electing to bat first, faced early setbacks. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha departed cheaply, putting pressure on the middle order. However, skipper Shubman Gill stood tall, playing a captain’s knock. His unbeaten 89 off 48 deliveries, the highest individual score of the season so far, revived the Titans’ innings. Supported by cameos from other batsmen, Gujarat managed to post a competitive total of 199/4.
Punjab Kings Rely on Young Guns
Chasing a stiff target, Punjab Kings’ experienced batters failed to fire consistently. Wickets fell at regular intervals, threatening to derail their chase. It was then that the young brigade stepped up. Shashank Singh, in just his second IPL appearance, played a fearless knock of 61 runs off 29 balls. His aggressive batting, filled with audacious strokes, brought the Kings back into the game.
Lower-Order Heroics Secure Victory
With wickets continuing to tumble, another uncapped player, Ashutosh Sharma, provided crucial support in the lower middle order. His composed knock ensured the Kings remained in contention until the very last over.
A Nail-Biting Finish
Punjab needed 13 runs from the final over bowled by Lockie Ferguson. The Kings displayed nerves of steel, navigating the pressure and securing the win with just a single ball remaining. This dramatic finish left the home crowd in disbelief.
